New entry-level engines for the Volkswagen Beetle
10 March 2012
Volkswagen has expanded the range of engines for the Beetle with a 77 kW / 103 hp diesel engine (TDI) and a 118 kW / 158 hp (TSI) gasoline engine.
The 1.6 TDI Beetle offers fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100 km (52 mpg US) equivalent to 119 g/km CO2) and achieves a maximum speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). Fully fueled (55 liters), the Volkswagen thus has a theoretical driving range of 1,222 km (759 miles).
The 1.2 TSI (77 kW) is a charged gasoline direct-injection engine. Fuel consumption is 5.9 l/100 km (40 mpg US) or 137 g/km CO2, with top speed of 180 km/h.
The top engine is currently a 2.0-liter TSI with 147 kW / 197 hp that has a combined fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100 km (30.6 mpg US) equivalent to 179 g/km CO2 and accelerates the Beetle to 223 km/h (139 mph).
The Beetle 1.2 TSI starts at €16,950 (US$22,200).
Most people don't need to go more than 112 mph, so these lower powered versions should be OK.
Posted by: mahonj | 10 March 2012 at 11:48 AM
I should think one needs to be able to cruise at 80mph, to merge briskly into freeway traffic and to safely overtake on a 2-lane road. Power beyond those needs will mostly just get some folks into trouble.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 10 March 2012 at 05:21 PM